Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner Quiz: Making Basic Comparisons
10 questions · exam conditions
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Making Basic ComparisonsQuestion 1 of 10

Which sentence contains a grammatical error in the comparison structure?

This coffee is hotter than the tea.
The library is as quiet as a museum.
My new phone is more better than my old one.
Renting a car is less convenient than taking the bus here.
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Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner Quiz

Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner Quiz: Making Basic Comparisons

Practice Making Basic Comparisons in Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Making Basic Comparisons, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

Which sentence contains a grammatical error in the comparison structure?

  1. This coffee is hotter than the tea.
  2. The library is as quiet as a museum.
  3. My new phone is more better than my old one. (correct answer)
  4. Renting a car is less convenient than taking the bus here.
Explanation: When making comparisons in English, it's important to use the correct comparative form — and a common trap is "double comparatives," where two comparison words are used together when only one is needed. In English, you form comparatives in one of two ways: add -er to short adjectives (hot → hotter), or place more in front of longer adjectives (convenient → more convenient). You never do both at the same time. That's exactly the error in C. "More better" combines "more" with "better," but "better" is already the comparative form of "good." Adding "more" creates an illegal double comparative. The correct sentence is simply: My new phone is better than my old one. The other three sentences are all grammatically correct. A uses "hotter," the proper -er comparative for the short adjective "hot," followed by "than" — perfect structure. B uses the "as...as" structure, which expresses equality between two things (as quiet as a museum) — this is correct and complete. D uses "less...than," which is a valid comparative structure showing that one option is inferior to another — no errors there. A quick tip to remember: watch out for "more better," "more faster," or "more bigger" on test questions — these are always wrong because the base words (better, faster, bigger) are already in comparative form. If a word already ends in -er or is an irregular comparative like "better" or "worse," never add "more" in front of it.

Question 2

A student wants to say that her English class and her math class take the same amount of time. Which sentence uses comparison language correctly?

  1. My English class is longer than my math class by zero minutes.
  2. My English class is as long as my math class. (correct answer)
  3. My English class is more long than my math class.
  4. My English class is less shorter than my math class.
Explanation: When you want to say two things are equal, English uses a special structure called the "as...as" comparison. Think of it like a balance scale — you're saying both sides weigh exactly the same. The pattern is: subject + verb + as + adjective + as + noun. Choice B, "My English class is as long as my math class," follows this pattern perfectly. It tells the listener that both classes have equal length — no more, no less. This is the correct way to express equality in English comparisons. Now let's look at why the other choices don't work. Choice A ("longer than... by zero minutes") is grammatically creative, but "longer than" signals that one thing is greater than another — using it with "zero minutes" contradicts itself and sounds unnatural. Native speakers would never say this. Choice C ("more long") uses the wrong comparative form. Short adjectives like "long" use -er (longer), not "more + adjective" — that structure is reserved for longer adjectives like "more expensive" or "more difficult." Choice D ("less shorter") is a double comparison error. You can say "less long" or "shorter," but combining both creates redundancy that breaks the grammar rule entirely. A helpful memory trick: when two things are equal, look for the as...as sandwich — the adjective sits between two "as" words. When you see answer choices mixing "more," "-er," or "less" with another comparison word, that's usually a red flag. On this exam, equality questions almost always test whether you know the "as + adjective + as" pattern.

Question 3

Carlos and Diana both applied for the same job. Carlos has three years of experience and Diana has three years of experience. Carlos says to Diana, 'I think we have   experience for this job.'

Which phrase correctly completes Carlos's sentence to show that he and Diana have equal experience?

  1. more similar
  2. the same amount of (correct answer)
  3. as many
  4. as similar
Explanation: When comparing quantities that are equal, English uses specific phrases depending on whether something is countable or uncountable. "Experience" is an uncountable noun — you can't say "one experience, two experiences" in this context — so you need a phrase that works with uncountable nouns and expresses equality. "The same amount of" is exactly right for this situation. It signals equal quantities and correctly pairs with uncountable nouns: the same amount of experience, the same amount of water, the same amount of time. Carlos is saying he and Diana are equal, and choice B — "the same amount of" — expresses that perfectly and grammatically. Choice A, "more similar," doesn't work here. "More similar" is a comparative phrase meaning closer in resemblance, not equal in quantity. It also doesn't complete the sentence grammatically in a meaningful way. Choice C, "as many," is used only with countable nouns — you say "as many years" or "as many apples," not "as many experience." This is a common trap! Choice D, "as similar," creates a construction that needs a comparison partner to be complete (similar to something), and it describes resemblance rather than equal quantity. A useful tip: when you see a word like experience, information, water, or money — uncountable nouns — reach for phrases like "the same amount of" or "as much." Save "as many" and "as few" for countable nouns (things you can number individually). Recognizing countable vs. uncountable nouns will help you on many grammar questions at this level.

Question 4

Read this conversation. Jorge: 'Is the blue shirt cheaper or more expensive than the red shirt?' Sales clerk: 'The red shirt is $25. The blue shirt is $18.' Jorge: 'Oh, so the blue shirt is   the red shirt.'

Which phrase correctly completes Jorge's sentence based on the prices given?

  1. as expensive as
  2. more expensive than
  3. less expensive than (correct answer)
  4. not as cheap than
Explanation: When comparing two things that are different, English uses comparative adjectives — words like cheaper, more expensive, or less expensive — followed by the word "than." This question tests whether you can read two prices, figure out the relationship, and choose the correct comparison phrase. Look at the numbers: the red shirt costs $25, and the blue shirt costs $18. Since $18 is lower than $25, the blue shirt costs less money. That means C — "less expensive than" correctly completes Jorge's sentence: "The blue shirt is less expensive than the red shirt." This matches the math and uses proper comparative grammar. Now let's look at why the other choices fail. Choice A, "as expensive as," means both shirts cost the same amount — but $18 and $25 are different prices, so this is factually wrong. Choice B, "more expensive than," would mean the blue shirt costs more, but $18 is actually the lower price, so this gets the relationship backwards. Choice D, "not as cheap than," sounds like it might work, but it contains a grammar error — after "as ... as" comparisons, you must use "as," not "than." The correct form would be "not as cheap as," and even then, it would mean the same thing as Choice B, which is factually incorrect. A useful tip: before picking a comparison phrase, always check the numbers first to decide which item is bigger or smaller. Then match that relationship to your phrase — less than for smaller, more than for larger.

Question 5

Maria is choosing between two apartments. Apartment A costs $900 a month and is 10 minutes from work. Apartment B costs $700 a month and is 45 minutes from work. Maria says, 'Apartment A is   Apartment B, but it is   to my job.'

Which answer correctly completes both blanks in Maria's sentence?

  1. more expensive than / closer than (correct answer)
  2. as expensive as / farther than
  3. less expensive than / closer than
  4. more expensive than / farther than
Explanation: When comparing two things in English, you use comparative adjectives. The key is choosing the right form: "more/less + adjective + than" for longer adjectives like expensive, and adding -er + than for shorter ones like close/far. In this question, you need to compare both cost and distance — so read the facts carefully before choosing. Apartment A costs $900 and Apartment B costs $700, meaning Apartment A costs more. The distance from Apartment A to work is 10 minutes, while Apartment B is 45 minutes away — so Apartment A is closer to the job. That points directly to answer A: "more expensive than / closer than." Both comparisons are factually correct and grammatically sound. Answer B is wrong because "as expensive as" means the two apartments cost the same amount — but $900 and $700 are clearly different. Answer C says Apartment A is "less expensive," which is backwards — Apartment A actually costs more, not less. Answer D gets the first blank right ("more expensive than") but fails on the second: "farther than" would mean Apartment A is more distant from work, but 10 minutes is much shorter than 45 minutes, making it closer, not farther. A helpful tip: before filling in comparison blanks, write a quick mental note — "Which one is bigger/smaller/closer/farther?" That prevents mix-ups between more/less and closer/farther. Also, watch for tricky distractors that get one blank right but not both — always check every blank before choosing.

Question 6

Yuki writes in her journal: 'I prefer cooking at home. It is   eating at a restaurant because I save money and I know what is in my food.'

Yuki wants to express that cooking at home has advantages over eating at a restaurant. Which phrase best completes her sentence?

  1. as beneficial as
  2. less beneficial than
  3. more beneficial than (correct answer)
  4. not as beneficial as
Explanation: When comparing two things to show that one is better than the other, English uses the comparative form: more + adjective + than. This structure signals a clear advantage on one side. Yuki's journal entry tells us she prefers cooking at home and gives two reasons why — saving money and knowing her ingredients. That means she believes home cooking has a clear advantage, so you need a phrase that expresses "home cooking is better." Choice C, more beneficial than, fits perfectly. It uses the correct comparative structure and points in the right direction — home cooking is the winner. This makes Yuki's sentence logical and grammatically correct. Choice A, as beneficial as, uses the equality structure (as + adjective + as), meaning both options are equally good. That contradicts Yuki's message, since she clearly prefers one over the other. Choice B, less beneficial than, is a comparative phrase, but it goes the wrong direction. It would mean eating at a restaurant is actually better than cooking at home — the opposite of what Yuki wants to say. Choice D, not as beneficial as, is another equality structure used negatively. While it does suggest home cooking might be better, it's a weaker, indirect way to say it — and it's grammatically awkward in this sentence compared to the clean, direct comparison in C. A helpful tip: when you see words like prefer, advantage, or better, look for more ... than to express the comparison directly. Watch out for phrases that flip the direction or suggest equality — those are common traps on comparison questions.

Question 7

Fatima is comparing two job offers. She tells her friend: 'Job A pays $15 an hour and Job B pays $15 an hour. But Job A is farther from my house. I think Job B is   Job A because the commute is shorter, even though the pay is the same.'

Which phrase correctly completes Fatima's sentence to show her overall preference for Job B?

  1. as good as
  2. less good than
  3. more paying than
  4. a better choice than (correct answer)
Explanation: When comparing two options and explaining a preference, English uses comparative phrases to show that one thing is better, worse, or equal to another. Fatima is explaining why she prefers Job B — not just that they are equal — so you need a phrase that expresses a clear preference. D) "a better choice than" is correct because it uses the standard comparative structure: adjective + "-er" + "than" (or "more" + adjective + "than" for longer words). "A better choice than" clearly communicates that Job B is preferred overall, even though one factor (pay) is the same. It fits naturally into the sentence and matches Fatima's reasoning perfectly. Now let's look at why the other options don't work. A) "as good as" expresses equality, not preference — it would mean both jobs are exactly the same, which contradicts Fatima's point that Job B is the better option. B) "less good than" actually says Job B is worse than Job A, which is the opposite of what Fatima means. This is a common trap — make sure you read whether the sentence needs a positive or negative comparison. C) "more paying than" is not correct English grammar. The proper phrase would be "higher-paying than." You cannot attach "-ing" to "pay" and use it as a comparative adjective this way. Study tip: When you see a comparison question, first ask: Is one thing better, worse, or equal? Then match that meaning to the phrase. Watch out for phrases that look comparative but carry the wrong direction — especially "as good as" (equal) vs. "better than" (superior).

Question 8

A teacher asks students to rewrite the sentence 'The summer course is not as difficult as the winter course' using 'less.' Which rewrite is correct AND keeps the same meaning?

  1. The summer course is less difficult than the winter course. (correct answer)
  2. The winter course is less difficult than the summer course.
  3. The summer course is less difficult as the winter course.
  4. The summer course is fewer difficult than the winter course.
Explanation: When a sentence uses "not as ... as," you can usually rewrite it using "less ... than" — but you need to pay close attention to which thing is being described as easier or harder, and which comparison word is correct. The original sentence — The summer course is not as difficult as the winter course — tells you the summer course has a lower level of difficulty than the winter course. To express the same idea with "less," you keep the summer course as the subject and say it is "less difficult than" the winter course. That makes A correct: The summer course is less difficult than the winter course. The subject stays the same, the meaning stays the same, and the grammar is right. B flips the subjects, making the winter course "less difficult" than the summer course — the exact opposite meaning. This is a classic trap: the sentence looks similar, but it says something completely different. C uses "as" instead of "than" after "less difficult." In English, "less ... than" is the correct structure — you never say "less difficult as." The word "as" belongs with the "as ... as" pattern, not with "less." D uses "fewer" instead of "less." Remember: fewer is for things you can count individually (fewer books, fewer students), while less is for things you measure in general amounts (less difficulty, less time). Since "difficult" describes a quality, not a countable noun, "fewer" is wrong here. Your study tip: memorize these two parallel structures — not as [adjective] as = less [adjective] than — and always check that the subject and meaning haven't changed in the rewrite.

Question 9

A student writes: 'My new neighborhood is not as noisy than my old neighborhood.' What is wrong with this sentence, and how should it be corrected?

  1. The word 'noisy' should be 'noisier'; the correct sentence uses a comparative adjective without 'as.'
  2. The word 'noisy' should be 'more noisy'; adjectives in 'as...as' structures always need 'more' before them.
  3. The phrase 'not as' should be replaced with 'less' and 'than' should be changed to 'as'; the correct sentence is 'less noisy as my old neighborhood.'
  4. The word 'than' should be 'as'; the correct structure for this comparison is 'not as noisy as.' (correct answer)
Explanation: When comparing two things using the structure "as...as," English requires both "as" words to appear — one before the adjective and one after it. This is called an equative comparison, and it follows a fixed pattern: as + adjective + as. When you make it negative, it becomes not as + adjective + as, meaning one thing has less of a quality than another. In the original sentence, "not as noisy than" breaks this rule. The word "than" belongs to a different type of comparison — the comparative (e.g., "noisier than" or "more noisy than"). Mixing "as" with "than" creates a grammar error because they belong to different structures. The fix is simple: replace "than" with "as," giving you "My new neighborhood is not as noisy as my old neighborhood." That's why D is correct. Looking at the wrong answers: A suggests changing "noisy" to "noisier," which would work in a different sentence ("My new neighborhood is quieter than..."), but it removes the "as...as" structure entirely and changes the meaning. B claims adjectives in "as...as" structures always need "more" before them — this is false. You never say "as more noisy as"; the adjective stays in its base form. C suggests "less noisy as," but "less" comparisons require "than," not "as" ("less noisy than"), so this swaps the error rather than fixing it. A useful memory trick: think of "as...as" like a sandwich — the adjective goes between two "as" words, never followed by "than."

Question 10

Which sentence uses 'more' or 'less' correctly to compare two things?

  1. This soup is more saltier than yesterday's soup.
  2. The new schedule is more flexible than the old one. (correct answer)
  3. Walking is more faster than taking the elevator.
  4. Her accent is less stronger than his accent.
Explanation: When comparing two things in English, you use comparative adjectives. For most long adjectives (two or more syllables), you add "more" or "less" before the adjective — but never combine "more/less" with an adjective that already has a comparative ending like "-er." That combination is a double comparative, and it's always incorrect. Option B is correct: "The new schedule is more flexible than the old one." The adjective "flexible" is a long adjective, so it correctly uses "more" to form the comparison. The structure is clean: more + adjective + than. Option A contains a double comparative — "more saltier" uses both "more" AND the "-er" ending on "salty." You should use either "saltier" or "more salty," never both together. Option C makes the same mistake with "more faster" — "fast" already becomes "faster" on its own, so adding "more" is redundant and incorrect. Option D uses "less stronger," which is another double comparative in reverse — "strong" becomes "less strong" (acceptable) or "weaker," but "less stronger" incorrectly combines "less" with an "-er" adjective ending. A helpful rule to memorize: never use "more" or "less" with an "-er" or "-est" form. If you see "more + adjective-er" or "less + adjective-er," it's automatically wrong. When studying comparatives, practice sorting adjectives into two groups — those that take "-er/-est" (short words like fast, tall, cold) and those that take "more/less" (longer words like flexible, careful, expensive). This will help you spot double comparatives quickly on the exam.